U.S. patent application number 10/341699 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-15 for stationary clothes drying apparatus.
Invention is credited to Meyer, Robert W..
Application Number | 20040134087 10/341699 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32594825 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040134087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meyer, Robert W. |
July 15, 2004 |
Stationary clothes drying apparatus
Abstract
A stationary dryer, which may be used for drying clothes, is
provided having a housing enclosing a space. A stationary support
is located within the space for receiving articles to be dried. An
air moving device is provided for generating an air flow through
the space from an air inlet to an air outlet. An air distributor
mechanism comprising a distribution plenum is positioned between
the air inlet and the stationary support, with a plenum wall having
a plurality of perforations therein. At least one of the
distribution plenum and the perforations are sized, shaped and
arranged so as to equalize an air flow distribution over the
stationary support.
Inventors: |
Meyer, Robert W.; (St.
Joseph, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHIRLPOOL PATENTS COMPANY - MD 0750
500 RENAISSANCE DRIVE - SUITE 102
ST. JOSEPH
MI
49085
US
|
Family ID: |
32594825 |
Appl. No.: |
10/341699 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
34/90 ; 34/103;
34/104; 34/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
034/090 ;
034/103; 034/104; 034/202 |
International
Class: |
F26B 019/00 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A stationary dryer comprising: a housing enclosing a space, a
support located within said space, an air moving device for
generating an air flow through said space in a downstream
direction, an air distributor mechanism comprising a distribution
plenum positioned in said air flow, upstream of said support, with
a plenum wall having a plurality of perforations therein, at least
one of said distribution plenum and said perforations being sized,
shaped and arranged so as to equalize an air flow distribution over
said support.
2. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said support
comprises a generally horizontal porous surface.
3. A stationary dryer according to claim 2, wherein said
distribution plenum comprises a pair of spaces, one located on each
lateral side of said horizontal porous surface.
4. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said air
distributor mechanism comprises a supply plenum arranged upstream
of said distribution plenum to direct said air flow to said
distribution plenum.
5. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said plenum
wall of said distribution plenum extends above and below said
support, such that said air flow is introduced both above and below
said support by said distribution plenum.
6. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said plenum
perforations are positioned on an upstream side of said support and
an exhaust outlet is positioned on a downstream side of said
support.
7. A stationary dryer according to claim 6, wherein said support is
horizontal and said perforations are below said support and said
exhaust outlet is above said support.
8. A stationary dryer according to claim 6, wherein said
perforations are at one lateral side of said support and said
exhaust outlet is at an opposite lateral side of said support.
9. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said wall of
said distribution plenum has a greater porosity at an upstream side
thereof than at a downstream side thereof.
10. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said
stationary support is mounted on a movable slide member allowing
said support to be slid into and out of said housing to load and
unload clothing items on said support.
11. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said
distribution plenum decreases in cross sectional area in a
downstream direction.
12. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said support
comprises an arrangement for hanging an article to be dried.
13. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, wherein said air flow
is directed generally parallel to a surface of an article to be
dried which is carried on said support.
14. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, including an exhaust
plenum positioned downstream of said support.
15. A stationary dryer according to claim 1, including
recirculation passages in said air distributor mechanism.
16. A stationary clothes dryer comprising: a housing enclosing a
space, a stationary clothes support located within said space, an
air moving device for generating an air flow through said space in
a downstream direction, a heating element positioned in said air
flow upstream of said support, an air distributor mechanism
comprising a distribution plenum positioned upstream of said
support, with a plenum wall having a plurality of perforations
therein, at least one of said distribution plenum and said
perforations being sized, shaped and arranged so as to equalize an
air flow distribution over said support, at least some of said
plenum perforations being positioned on one side of said support
and an exhaust outlet downstream of said support being positioned
on an opposite side of said support, said support being mounted on
a movable slide member allowing said support to be slid into and
out of said housing to load and unload items on said support.
17. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, wherein said
air distributor mechanism comprises a supply plenum arranged
upstream of said distribution plenum.
18. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 1 7, wherein said
support comprises a horizontal porous surface.
19. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 18, wherein said
distribution plenum comprises a pair of spaces, one located on each
lateral side of said support.
20. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 18, wherein said
plenum wall of said distribution plenum extends above and below
said horizontal porous surface, such that said air flow is
introduced both above and below said horizontal porous surface by
said distribution plenum.
21. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 18, wherein said
plenum perforations are positioned on an upstream side of said
horizontal porous surface and an exhaust outlet leading to said air
outlet is positioned on a downstream side of said horizontal porous
surface.
22. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 21, wherein said
perforations are below said horizontal porous surface and said
exhaust outlet is above said horizontal surface.
23. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 21, wherein said
perforations are at one lateral side of said horizontal porous
surface and said exhaust outlet is at an opposite lateral side of
said horizontal surface.
24. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, wherein said
air moving device comprises a fan positioned upstream of said
distribution plenum.
25. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, wherein said
wall of said distribution plenum is positioned along said air flow
and has a greater porosity at an upstream side thereof than at a
downstream side thereof.
26. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, wherein said
distributor plenum decreases in cross sectional area in a
downstream direction.
27. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, wherein said
support comprises an arrangement for hanging an article to be
dried.
28. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, wherein said
air flow is directed generally parallel to a surface of an article
to be dried which is carried on said support.
29. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, including an
exhaust plenum positioned downstream of said support.
30. A stationary clothes dryer according to claim 16, including
recirculation passages in said air distributor mechanism.
31. A stationary clothes dryer comprising: a housing enclosing a
space, a stationary clothes support located within said space, a
fan for generating an air flow through said space in a downstream
direction, an air distributor mechanism comprising a supply plenum
leading downstream to a distribution plenum positioned between said
supply plenum and said stationary clothes support, said
distribution plenum being located on a lateral side of said
stationary clothes support, a distribution plenum wall extending
along said air flow and having a plurality of perforations therein,
said perforations being sized, shaped and arranged so as to
equalize an air flow distribution over said stationary clothes
support, said distribution plenum wall having a greater porosity on
an upstream side thereof than on a downstream side thereof.
32. A stationary dryer comprising: a housing enclosing a space, a
support located within said space, an air moving device for
generating an air flow in a downstream direction through said
space, an air distribution mechanism comprising a supply plenum
positioned between upstream of said support, a distribution plenum
positioned between said supply plenum and said support and an
exhaust plenum positioned downstream of said support, said
distribution plenum and said exhaust plenum each having a plenum
wall with a plurality of perforations therein, at least one of said
distribution plenum, said exhaust plenum and said perforations
being sized, shaped and arranged so as to equalize an air flow
distribution over said support.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to stationary dryers
and more particularly to a clothes dryer having a support over
which air flow is directed, the support being stationary during the
drying process.
[0002] Significant percentages of items that are washed are not
dried in a tumble dryer. Estimates of percentages are as high as
40%. These items are typically dried hanging in ambient air or, if
the danger of stretching exists, dried laying flat in ambient air.
When drying in this manner, free convection is the primary
mechanism of heat transfer. Free convection also carries away
evaporated water in support of the necessary mass transfer.
[0003] Drying rates can be doubled or tripled in comparison to free
convection when common fans or blowers are used to provide
conventional parallel flow forced convection heat transfer. Heat
transfer rates may also be greatly increased for conventional
forced convection, however fan/blower cost will typically rise
exponentially with increased heat transfer rate.
[0004] For some fabrics, drying, while initially fast, may become
slower later in the drying cycle due to the need to break
mechanical and chemical bonds that limit the amount of "free" water
available for evaporation. Normally this binding is more easily
broken as temperatures are elevated.
[0005] Drying devices have been built in the past in which items
may be placed to dry in a forced convection air stream that is
typically heated. For example, EP 0 933 465 discloses a stationary
clothes dryer having a perforated plate for receiving a layer of
clothing articles to be dried, through which a flow of heated air
is directed. These drying devices include stationary supports as
well as movable drawers. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,836
discloses the use of porous shelf inserts that slide in horizontal
slots. These devices have been effective in reducing the drying
time in comparison to ambient drying, however, these designs have
not reached their highest potential effectiveness. The primary
reason that limitations exist in the prior art designs is the
limited consideration that has been given to optimum heat transfer
and air flow design. In some designs, air flow is diverted by one
item to be dried such that drying of other items is effectively
blocked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides an improvement over known
stationary clothes dryers in that it provides an air distributor
mechanism comprising a distribution plenum positioned between an
air inlet and a clothes supporting surface which may be generally
horizontal or vertical and porous or non-porous. The plenum has a
wall with a plurality of perforations therein, and the perforations
are sized, shaped and arranged so as to equalize an air flow
distribution over and perhaps through the support surface. In an
embodiment where the air flow through the stationary clothes dryer
is maintained at a relatively high rate, but with a low pressure
drop, the wall of the distribution plenum has a greater porosity
near the air flow inlet than farther away.
[0007] The air distributor mechanism may also include a supply
plenum arranged between an air inlet and the distribution plenum to
direct the air flow from the air inlet to the distribution
plenum.
[0008] The distribution plenum can be arranged at one more sides of
the clothes support and can introduce the air flow to the drying
chamber one or more of, above the support surface, below the
support surface and to either side of the surface. An air outlet,
likewise can be positioned above, below and to either side of the
surface.
[0009] The air outlet can be positioned at a longitudinal end of
the porous surface or, in some configurations, it can be positioned
at one of the lateral sides, opposite the lateral side having the
perforated plenum wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stationary clothes dryer
embodying the principles of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the interior of
one drawer of the stationary clothes dryer of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the stationary clothes
dryer of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken generally along
the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a second embodiment of
the clothes dryer of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line
VI-VI of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along the line
VII-VII of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of the
stationary clothes dryer of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line
IX-IX of FIG. 8.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an alternative embodiment of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
stationary clothes dryer embodying the principles of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a schematic side sectional view of the embodiment
of FIG. 11.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a stationary clothes dryer embodying the principles of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the stationary clothes
dryer of FIG. 13.
[0024] FIG. 15 is an enlarged schematic side sectional view of the
air distributor plenum.
[0025] FIG. 15A is an enlarged schematic side sectional view of the
air inlet openings.
[0026] FIG. 16 is an enlarged schematic side sectional view of the
exhaust plenum.
[0027] FIG. 16A is an enlarged schematic side sectional view of the
air exhaust openings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0028] A stationary dryer incorporating the principles of the
present invention can be practiced in many different embodiments.
Some of these embodiments are shown and described herein, however,
the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments
contained in this description.
[0029] The term stationary dryer is meant to cover drying devices
in which the articles being dried remain relatively stationary
during the drying process. The dryer itself may be movable to
different locations and various components of the dryer may be
moveable, particularly when the articles to be dried are being
placed into or removed from the dryer. While such a device could be
used to dry a wide variety of articles, for the purposes of
providing an enabling disclosure of the best mode of the invention,
embodiments are described below for drying clothing or other fabric
articles, however, the invention is not limited to such specific
uses.
[0030] In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a stationary clothes dryer
generally at 20, in one form, which includes a housing 22 enclosing
an interior space 24. A clothes support 26 is located within the
space 24 and comprises a substantially horizontal surface which may
be flexible and porous, such as an open netting or screen material,
or may be rigid and solid or may have a plurality of openings
therethrough. Preferably the surface 26 is sufficiently stable so
as to support a typical clothes load, such as a wet sweater or
similar clothing article without unduly sagging or distending. The
surface 26 may be porous. This surface, while it may be movable for
loading and unloading articles for drying, remains generally
stationary during the drying process, and is referred to herein as
a stationary support surface.
[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the stationary
clothes dryer 20 is depicted as a stand alone appliance, although
it can be incorporated into other cabinetry or appliances as
desired.
[0032] The support surface 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being
mounted on a movable slide member 28, in the form of a drawer 29
with a drawer front 30 and a manually graspable pull 32 to allow
the surface 26 to be slid into and out of the housing 22 to load
and unload clothing and fabric items on the surface. In other
embodiments the surface 26 may be fixed in place with other
arrangements made for loading and unloading clothing items from the
surface, such as openable doors into a space above the surface.
[0033] Also, in FIG. 1, a second drawer 34 is illustrated in a
closed position, demonstrating that the stationary clothes dryer
may include more than one support surface 26 for receiving items to
be dried. Any number and arrangement of such support surfaces can
be utilized in the stationary clothes dryer. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, a space indicated by trim piece 36 is
provided between the upper drawer 29 and the lower drawer 34 to
accommodate an air plenum as described below. The precise placement
and arrangement of the air plenum can be modified, in accordance
with the various embodiments described below.
[0034] In FIGS. 2-4, a first embodiment of a stationary clothes
dryer 20A is illustrated, schematically, to show the interior
components thereof. The clothes dryer 20A includes a housing 22A
for enclosing a space 24A. A substantially horizontal support
surface 26A, which may be porous, is positioned in the interior of
the space 24A for receiving a load of articles to be dried. As
described above, the horizontal surface 26A can be fixed or
slidable or otherwise movable relative to the housing 22A.
[0035] The clothes dryer 20A includes an air moving device 40A,
which may be in the form of a motor operated fan, to generate an
air flow in a downstream direction through the space 24A from an
air inlet 42A to an air outlet 44A. An air distributor mechanism
comprising a distribution plenum 46A is positioned between the air
inlet 42A and upstream of the horizontal support surface 26A. The
distribution plenum 46A has a plenum wall 48A having a plurality of
perforations 50A therein. The perforations can be round, oval,
square, rectangular, slot-shaped, curved, or configured in other
shapes as desired to provide the desired air flow. The perforations
50A are sized, shaped and arranged so as to equalize an air flow
distribution, as indicated by arrows 52A. An optional heating
element 54A is provided between the air inlet 42A and upstream of
the surface 26A.
[0036] In operation, the fan 40A causes air to flow in through the
air inlet 42A to a supply plenum 56A which includes therein the
heating element 54A. There, if the heating element 54A is
energized, the air is heated and flows downstream to the
distribution plenum 46A. In this embodiment, there are two
distribution plenums 46A located on opposite lateral sides of the
support surface 26A. As seen in FIG. 4, the distribution plenum 46A
extends both above and below the support surface 26A and the plenum
wall 48A preferably includes openings in the areas both above and
below the support surface 26A. In this manner, air flow from the
plenums 46A flow into a space 60A beneath the surface 26A as well
as into a space 62A above the surface. An air outlet opening 64A is
positioned in a wall 66A located at one longitudinal end of the
surface 26A into which the air flows, before exiting from the air
outlet 44A. The outlet opening 64A is positioned above the support
surface 26A. A second outlet opening 65A is positioned below the
support surface also in the wall 66A and leads to air outlet 44A.
Of course, two or more of the air outlet openings 64A, 65A and
outlet 44A could be one and the same.
[0037] In this embodiment, thus, air flows above and below the
support surface 26A, to flow over an upper surface of the clothing
and below a lower surface of the clothing, in a generally lateral
and longitudinal fashion as shown in FIG. 2, to effect a drying by
air flow over all surfaces of the garment, particularly where the
support surface is porous or relatively open.
[0038] The air outlet opening 64A could alternatively be the only
outlet opening, particularly where the support surface 26A is not
porous. In this case, the plenums 46A would extend only above the
surface 26A. In this arrangement, air would flow only over the
upper exterior surface of the clothing article.
[0039] It is desirable that the porosity of the plenum walls 48A be
arranged so that air flow over the support surface 26A is
equalized. By this it is meant that a relatively even distribution
of air flow is provided throughout the area of the support surface
26A rather than having the air flow predominately located at one
end or another, or around the edges, or only through the
center.
[0040] One way to achieve the generally equalized air flow,
particularly in an arrangement where a fairly high velocity air
flow, such as 0.2-0.3 m/s flows through the distribution plenum
46A, where there is a minimal pressure drop through the plenum wall
48A, is to increase the porosity of the plenum wall at an upstream
side thereof closest to the fan 40A (when it is in a position to
push air through the plenum 46A) in that, in the arrangement
illustrated, the velocity of the air flow will tend to cause the
air to flow past in the initial openings in the distribution plenum
rather than through the openings. By increasing the porosity at the
upstream end of the wall 48A, the air flow through the plenum wall
along the length of the plenum 46A can be equalized. Similarly,
decreasing the porosity at the downstream end of the plenum 46A,
where the air flow tends to go to due to the straight elongated
arrangement of the plenum and the momentum of the moving air, will
tend to equalize the air flow over the support surface 26A. A
method for increasing (or decreasing) the porosity of the wall 48A
is to change the size, spacing configuration and/or layout of the
perforations 50A through the wall.
[0041] A second embodiment of the stationary clothes dryer 20B is
illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 where it is seen that the clothes dryer
20B includes a housing 22B enclosing a space 24B with a stationary
clothes support comprising a substantially horizontal surface 26B
positioned within the enclosed space. An air moving device 40B is
provided for generating an air flow through the space from an air
inlet 42B to an air outlet 44B. An air distributor mechanism
comprising a distribution plenum 46B is positioned between the air
inlet 42B and the horizontal surface 26B and includes a plenum wall
48B having a plurality of perforations therein. In this embodiment,
the distribution plenum 46B is positioned beneath the entirety of
the surface 26B and the plenum wall 48B is generally horizontal so
that the air will flow up through the plenum wall toward the air
outlets 64B and 65B. The support surface 26B can be supported
centrally within a space 60B such as by hangers 67B or posts 69B or
other known support members so that air from the plenum wall 48B
can flow both along and under the surface 26B as well as along and
over the top of the support surface in space 62B in that the sides
of the surface 26B can be left generally open to the space 60B. An
end 68B of the support surface 26B may be spaced away from an end
70B of the plenum so that air flow can be equalized, even over the
end of the support surface opposite the air outlet 64B.
Alternatively, the support surface 26B may extend the full length
and width of the space 24B, with porous areas provided at least
along the margin areas of the support surface 26B to allow for air
flow to the upper space 62B from the lower space 60B. The sizes of
the air outlets 64B and 65B may be adjusted relative to one another
to equalize the air flow over the top and bottom surfaces of
support surface 26B as well.
[0042] Again, the porosity of the distribution plenum wall 48B
preferably is arranged to allow for a generally equalized flow over
the porous surface 26B. Of course, the position of the plenum 46B
can be reversed, that is, it can be positioned above the support
surface 26B, and, if desired, openings or spacings being provided
to allow for a flow of air below the support surface to the air
outlet 65B.
[0043] A third alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.
In this embodiment, the stationary clothes dryer 20C includes a
housing 22C enclosing a space 24C and a stationary clothes support
26C is located within the space 24C comprising a substantially
horizontal surface which optionally may be porous. An air moving
device 40C is provided for generating an air flow through the space
from an air inlet 42C to an air outlet 44C. An air distributor
mechanism is provided which comprises a distribution plenum 46C
positioned between the air inlet 42C and the support surface 26C,
with a plenum wall 48C having a plurality of perforations therein.
In this embodiment, the distribution plenum 46C is arranged along
one lateral side of the support surface 26C and the air outlet 44C
is positioned along an opposite lateral side. A supply plenum 56C
extends between the air inlet 42C and the distribution plenum 46C.
In a first arrangement of this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.
9, the plenum wall 48c has perforations in an area only above the
support surface 26C and the air outlet 44C has openings only above
the support surface. The distribution plenum 46C is positioned on
one side of the horizontal surface 26 and the exhaust outlet 64C is
positioned on an opposite side of the porous surface. In this case,
the plenum is on one lateral side of the horizontal surface and the
exhaust outlet is on the opposite lateral side.
[0044] In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 10, flow is provided
both above and below the support surface. That is, in this
arrangement perforations are provided in the plenum wall 48C above
and below the support surface 26C and the exhaust outlets 64C and
65C are positioned above and beneath the porous surface. Again, the
plenum and the exhaust outlet are on opposite sides, both opposite
lateral sides, of the support surface.
[0045] Again, it is preferred that the porosity of distribution
plenum wall 48C be arranged so as to provide a generally equalized
flow over the support surface 26C which may require that the plenum
wall have a greater porosity closer to the air moving device 44C as
described above.
[0046] A fourth alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS.
11-12. In this embodiment, the stationary clothes dryer 20D
includes a housing 22D enclosing a space 24D and a plurality of
stationary clothes supports are located within the space 24D
comprising half width 25D and full width 27D horizontal shelves, a
hanger bar 29D for receiving one or more hangers 31D to vertically
support an article to be dried, and a pull out drawer 33D with
horizontal surfaces 35D. These various stationary clothes supports
may have porous surfaces or non-porous surfaces. An air moving
device 40D is provided for generating an air flow through the space
24D from an air inlet 42D to an air outlet 44D. An air distributor
mechanism is provided which comprises a distribution plenum 46D
positioned between the air inlet 42D and the various support
surfaces, with a plenum wall 48D having a plurality of perforations
49D therein. In this embodiment, the distribution plenum 46D is
arranged along a back side of the support surfaces and the air
outlet 44D is positioned along an opposite, front side which
comprises an openable door 55D. An exhaust plenum 56D extends
between a plurality of perforations 57D in an interior panel 59D of
the door 55D and the air outlet 44D. Preferably the perforations
49D in the distribution plenum wall 48D are sized, shaped and
arranged to provide an equalized air flow distribution over the
various support surfaces.
[0047] FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment. In
FIG. 13, the stationary clothes, dryer 20E is schematically
illustrated in a front perspective view. In this embodiment, the
stationary clothes dryer 20E includes a housing 22E enclosing a
space 24E and a plurality of stationary clothes supports are
located within the space 24E comprising a hanger bar 29E for
receiving one or more hangers 31E to vertically support an article
to be dried. Various shelves and drawers may also be provided as
discussed with respect to previous embodiments. These various
stationary clothes supports may have porous surfaces or non-porous
surfaces. An air moving device 40E (FIG. 14) in the form of a
recirculating fan is provided for generating an air flow in a
downstream direction through the space 24E from an air inlet 42E
(FIGS. 144, 16) to an air outlet 44E (FIGS. 14, 15), preferably
with a majority of the air flow being recirculated. As best shown
FIG. 14, an air distributor mechanism is provided which comprises a
distribution plenum 46E positioned upstream of the various support
surfaces, with a plenum wall 48E having a plurality of perforations
50E (FIGS. 15, 15A) therein.
[0048] In this embodiment, the air flow through the interior of the
dryer 20E is generally from side to side such that the air flow
will be substantially parallel to the surface of the supported
articles; including the articles supported by the hanger bar and
hanger.
[0049] In this embodiment, the distribution plenum 46E is arranged
along one side of the support surfaces and an exhaust/supply plenum
56E (FIG. 16) is arranged along an opposite side. In this
embodiment, the shape of the distribution plenum 46E, as well as
the size, shape and arrangement of the perforations 50E in the
plenum wall 48E provide an equalized air flow distribution over the
various support surfaces. Also, the exhaust/supply plenum 56E may
have a shape that assists in even flow distribution, as well as
perforations of a size, shape and arrangement to assist in the air
flow distribution.
[0050] FIG. 15 schematically shows the distribution plenum 46E
leading from the exhaust/supply plenum 56E. The distribution plenum
46E is shaped in a narrowing taper in a downstream direction. That
is, the distribution plenum 46E extends in a direction along the
air flow and decreases in cross sectional area in the downstream
direction. Further, the perforations 50E in the plenum wall 48E are
configured as vanes 71E arranged in a ladder or staggered
orientation to assist the airflow in changing direction from
essentially parallel to the plenum wall 48E to through the plenum
wall. The vanes, as shown in FIG. 15A, are preferably perforated as
well as at 72E, along their length, to prevent the formation of a
recirculation zone in the air flow.
[0051] FIG. 16 schematically shows the exhaust/supply plenum 56E
leading towards the recirculation fan 40E. The exhaust/supply
plenum 56E is shaped in an expanding taper in a downstream
direction toward the recirculation fan 40E in an area of a wall 74E
defining a portion of the exhaust/supply plenum 56E. Further,
perforations 73E are provided in the wall 74E of the exhaust/supply
plenum 56E in the form of slits, as shown in FIG. 16A, which help
direct the air flow exhausting from the space 24E into the
exhaust/supply plenum in such a way (nearly parallel to the wall
74E and from the front) so as to maintain an even flow of air
through the interior 24E of the dryer and over the support
surfaces. The exhaust/supply plenum 56E first acts as an exhaust
plenum for the air flow leaving the dryer space 24, and then as a
supply plenum for the air flow approaching the recirculation fan
40E. Thus, the exhaust/supply plenum is positioned downstream of
the dryer space 24E as well as upstream of the distribution plenum
46E.
[0052] Recirculation arrangements in the air distributor mechanism,
of appropriate and optionally controllable openings and ducts or
passages shown schematically at 42E, 44E and 78E in FIG. 14 are
provided to allow for a recirculation of all or a part of the air
flowing through the stationary dryer of any of the embodiments
described.
[0053] In each of the embodiments, although not illustrated, the
heating element as shown in FIG. 2 and arranged upstream of the
space 24 could be utilized to provide heated air to aid in the
drying operation. Further, the air moving device can be located at
other locations along the air flow path, so as long as an air flow
is generated to flow over one or more surfaces of the article
support surface. Recirculation rates and percentages can be
modified to produce the desired results.
[0054] It will be appreciated, from the above description, that the
air distributor mechanism comprising the distribution plenum can be
sized and arranged in several different configurations, as can the
size and position of the air outlet, without departing from the
principles of the present invention.
[0055] As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the
invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations
and modifications which may differ particularly from those that
have been described in the preceding specification and description.
It should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of
the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably
and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the
art.
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